Flexor digitorum profundus tendon
Tendo musculi flexoris profundi digitorum
- Acronym: FDP
- Related terms: Flexor digitorum profundus - Tendons; Flexor digitorum profundus (Tendon)
Definition
The flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons are key structures for powerful finger flexion. Originating from the FDP muscle belly in the forearm, these four distinct, long tendons extend distally, one for each of the second through fifth fingers.
These tendons travel through the carpal tunnel in the wrist to enter the palm. Uniquely, as they approach their insertions, each FDP tendon passes through a split (bifurcation) in the corresponding tendon of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) at the level of the proximal phalanx.
The flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons ultimately insert onto the palmar base of the distal phalanges of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers. Their direct attachment to the distal phalanges allows the FDP to be the primary flexor of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints. Furthermore, the lumbrical muscles uniquely arise from the radial side of these FDP tendons.
References
Lung BE, Burns B. Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Hand Flexor Digitorum Profundus Muscle. [Updated 2023 Nov 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526046/
Petchprapa CN, Vaswani D. MRI of the Fingers: An Update. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2019 Sep;213(3):534-548. doi: 10.2214/AJR.19.21217. Epub 2019 Jul 3. PMID: 31268729.
Gupta P, Lenchik L, Wuertzer SD, Pacholke DA. High-resolution 3-T MRI of the fingers: review of anatomy and common tendon and ligament injuries. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2015 Mar;204(3):W314-23. doi: 10.2214/AJR.14.12776. PMID: 25714317.
Clavero JA, Alomar X, Monill JM, Esplugas M, Golanó P, Mendoza M, Salvador A. MR imaging of ligament and tendon injuries of the fingers. Radiographics. 2002 Mar-Apr;22(2):237-56. doi: 10.1148/radiographics.22.2.g02mr11237. PMID: 11896215.
